Integrated wire termination system

ABSTRACT

A connector socket of the integrated wire termination system (IWTS) type adapted to receive any one of a plurality of different types of &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;standard&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; terminal (connector) pins inserted therein by a split sleeve tool. The socket includes a spring-biased pawl for engaging the annular shoulder on the terminal pin to lock it therein. A split sleeve spring biases the pawl against the periphery of the annular shoulder for large area of electrical contact between the socket and the pin. The socket is deep enough to receive terminal pins having different lengths of tips. A switch contact or terminal rivet structure may be provided on the front end. Insertion of a tool from the rear allows release of the terminal pin.

United States Patent Hults Aug. 8, 1972 [54] INTEGRATED WIRE TERMINATION 3,064,232 1 1/1962 Lyman, Jr ..339/255 SYSTEM [72] Inventor: Harold W. Hults, New Berlin, Wis. 52 g McGlynn orney- [73] Assignee: Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee,

Wis. [57] ABSTRACT Filed: J 1970 A connector socket of the integrated wire termination [21] App1.No.: 42,995 system (IWTS? type adapted to receive any one of a plurality of different types of standard" terminal (connector) pins inserted therein by a split sleeve tool. [52] US. Cl ..339/255 R, 339/256 R, 339/262 R The Socket indudes a spring biased paw] for engaging [51] InLCI. ..H0lr 13/18 the annular shoulder on the terminal pin to lock it [58] Field of Search ..339l253-256, 258, therein A Split Sleeve spring biases the pawl against 339/259 262 the periphery of the annular shoulder for large area of electrical contact between the socket and the pin. The [56] References Cited socket is deep enough to receive terminal pins having UNITED STATES PATENTS different lengths of tips. A S W1tCh contact 01' terminal rivet structure may be provided on the front end. In- 2,428,214 9/1947 Gorey ..339/255 R Semen of a tool from the real. allows release f the 1,699,678 1/1929 Schellenger ..339/255 terminal pm 2,912,669 11/1959 Fitzgerald ..339/253 1,001,035 8/1911 Hubert ..339/253 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Rear release electrical connector mountings have been known heretofore. A known type has a socket made from a sleeve of spring material. This sleeve is split so that it can be squeezed and inserted into a bore in an insulating mounting member and allowed to expand to be securely retained therein. One or more tongues are sheared from the sides of this sleeve and bent at a small angle inwardly for locking against the annular shoulder of a terminal pin inserted in the sleeve. A tool inserted from the rear biases this tongue outwardly to release the terminal pin for removal. In one form, the tip of the terminal pin extends out beyond the sleeve and insulating mounting member to enable an electrical connection to be made thereto. In another form, the tongue biases the tip of the terminal pin against the bus bar, contact or the like, within the insulating mounting member to make an electrical connection.

' While these prior connector mountings have been useful for their intended purposes, this invention relates to improvements thereover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a rear release integrated wire termination system.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved rear release electrical connector.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a rear release electrical connector mounting with improved means affording both connector locking and high pressure electrical contact with less mechanical stress in the parts.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved integrated wire termination system structure having rear release terminal pin locking, high pressure electrical contact and a switch contact on its front end.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved integrated wire termination system structure of the aforementioned type adapted to receive any one of a plurality of different standar terminal pins.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved releasable electrical connector that is easy to manufacture, is economical and rugged in construcnon.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a switch showing an application of the invention to the stationary contact and terminal structure thereof;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an integrated wire termination system structure constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view like FIG. 2 but also including a terminal pin in locking association therein;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the structure of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the lower portion of a toggle lever switch to indicate how the invention may be used. This switch is provided with an insulating base 2 into the bottom of which are molded three electrical connectors of the integrated wire termination system type according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, these connectors are arranged so that their forward ends are within the switch base and their rear ends extend down below the bottom of the base. The center connector 4 is arranged at a lower level than left connector 6 and right connector 8 with the three connectors being in lateral alignment.

Center connector 4 is provided at its upper end with a rivet structure 4a that extends through a hole in a cradle-like contact support 10. This rivet structure in the form of a round projection is peened to secure the contact support thereon. As is apparent in FIG. 1, contact support 10 supports a rockable movable contact 12.

Left connector 6 and right connector 8 are provided at their upper ends with switch contacts 6a and 8a forming a stationary contact on each side of the center connector. Movement of plunger 14 in the left or right direction causes movable contact 12 to be rocked into engagement with stationary contact 6a or 8a. Thus, the movable contact will electrically connect center connector 4 to left connector 6 or right connector 8 as desired by actuation of the toggle lever having plunger 14 at its lower end in a known manner.

The lower ends of the three connectors are enclosed in a seal comprising sealing material such as silicone rubber 16 and an insulating cover 18. Cover 18 is provided with suitable apertures 18a in alignment with the lower ends of the three connectors to allow insertion of terminals pins therethrough. Also, the silicone rubber is provided with holes 16a between the cover apertures and the connectors. These holes are provided with convolutions or internal ridges or constructions 16b through which the terminals pins are pushed into the connectors. As will be apparent, these convolutions are stretched and tightly grip the terminal pin and wire to provide a seal.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the connector comprises 'a generally cylindrical member 6 having a contact 6a at its upper end. A bore 6b extends from the lower, rear end almost to the top, front end with the entrance to the bore being chamfered to facilitate insertion of a terminal pin 20, FIG. 3, therein. The bore is provided with a shoulder 6c against which shoulder 20a of the pin stops, the bore being of smaller diameter beyond this shoulder. The upper portion of the connector is surrounded by a plurality of annular ribs 6d most clearly shown in FIG. 5 whereby it is securely retained in the molded base.

The lower portion of the connector is provided with a rectangular aperture 6e in the arcuate wall thereof for receiving a retention pawl 6f. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, this pawl is provided with an inclined inner surface 6g along with shoulder 20a of the terminal pin rides when the latter is inserted. Beyond this inclined surface is a shoulder or catch 6h into which the terminal pin shoulder snaps and behind which it becomes locked. An arcuate surface 6i next to this catch makes contact with the pin shoulder.

A tubular, split spring 6 surrounds the lower portion of the connector to retain pawl 6f in its aperture and to provide electrical contact pressure between the pawl and the shoulder on the terminal pin. For proper orientation of this spring, it is provided with a slightly inwardly bent tongue 6k at its lower end as shown in FIGS. 3 and that fits into a slot 61 at the lower end of the connector socket. This will cause the spring to be oriented in such a manner that its split is diametrically on the opposite side of the connector from the pawl as shown in FIG. 4 to provide maximum spring force on the pawl.

FIG. 3 shows a standard terminal pin locked within connector 6. As shown therein, this terminal pin has an annular rib or shoulder 20a and a tip 20b having a chamfer 200 at its front end to facilitate insertion thereof into the socket. The bore in the connector is deep enough that it could alternatively receive a shorter or longer tip terminal pin of a difi'erent diameter as indicated by dotted lines at 20d and 20e, respectively.

The lower, rear end of terminal pin 20 is provided with a bore into which the bare end of an insulated wire 22 is inserted and the surrounding tubular metal crimped to secure the pin on the end of the wire.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the IWTS or connector may be embedded at its ribbed portion into an insulating mounting member of plastic or the like. It may be provided at its upper end with a contact or rivet projection as shown or any equivalent electrical contact or terminal depending upon its application and use.

When terminal pin 20 is inserted thereinto, shoulder 20a rides along inclined surface 6g and cams pawl 6f outwardly against the force of contact pressure spring 6] until shoulder 20a snaps behind shoulder 611 of the pawl to lock the terminal pin therein. In this position, arcuate surface 6i of the pawl makes a large area of electrical contact with the complementary arcuate peripheral surface of shoulder 20a ofthe terminal pin. Spring 6j provides good contact pressure therebetween. The outwardly diverging surfaces at the lateral edges of aperture 6e match the inwardly converging surfaces at the lateral edges of the pawl to prevent the spring from pressing the pawl through the aperture when the terminal pin is removed.

Good electrical contact is made between the connector and the spring, between the spring and the pawl and between the pawl and the terminal pin. Also, the spring acts through the pawl to press the opposite arcuate side of the terminal pin shoulder against the arcuate inner wall of the bore for good electrical contact between the pin and the connector.

The terminal pin is inserted in the bore with the aid of a split tube nylon tool. This split tube tool surrounds the lower portion of the pin and the wire and its end bears against shoulder 20a. Thus, the pin is pushed into place and the tool is withdrawn.

For removal of the terminal pin, the tool is placed around the wire and pushed between the pin and the connector within the bore. As a result, the end of the tool rides along inclined surface 6g of the pawl to force the pawl outward until shoulder 6h of the pawl clears shoulder 20a of the pin, allowing withdrawal of both the tool and the pin together. To facilitate removal of the pin as just described, the inner surface of the pawl near its shoulder 6h is provided with a reentrant incline 6m as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 to insure that the pawl will release the pin.

While the apparatus hereinbefore described is effectively adapted to fulfill the objects stated it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be confined to the particular preferred embodiment of integrated wire termination system disclosed, inasmuch as it is susceptible of various modifications without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, while pawl 6f and spring 6j are shown as separate pieces, it will be apparent that they could be made integral. That is, a tab could be sheared from spring 6j and bent inwardly to the proper angle and formed to provide an equivalent of inclined surfaces 6g and 6m of the pawl. And a strip integral with the spring could be bent back and formed to provide an equivalent of catch 6h. Or the catch and inclined surfaces could be formed from a single bent back strip integral with the spring. I

I claim:

1. An integrated wire tennination system comprising:

an electrically conducting connector member having a bore extending thereinto from one end thereof adapted to receive an arcuate-surface-shouldered terminal pin that is secured to the end of a wire with the portion of the pin on one side of its shoulder being of reduced size to provide space therearound within said bore for insertion of a split sleeve release tool;

an aperture in the side of said connector member;

an arcuate catch in said aperture;

a split sleeve spring surrounding said connector member to bias said catch into said aperture;

a linear cam surface on said catch extending forwardly at an inward angle whereby said catch is moved outwardly against the force of said spring by the terminal pin shoulder when the terminal pin is inserted into said bore;

said catch having a lateral shoulder that snaps behind the terminal pin shoulder by force of said spring when the terminal pin has been fully inserted to lock the terminal pin within said bore in good electrical contact with said connector member to prevent removal of the terminal pin by pulling on the wire, and release of the terminal pin requiring insertion of the release tool around the reduced portion thereof within said bore to bias said catch free of the terminal pin shoulder and withdrawal of the terminal pin and tool together;

and said bore in said connector member being large enough to receive the split sleeve release tool around the reduced portion of the terminal pin to engage said cam surface and cam said catch outwardly clear of the terminal pin shoulder to release the terminal pin for withdrawal from said bore.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein:

said connector member and said bore therein are long enough to receive any one of a plurality of different standard terminal pins that are alike from the rear end that is crimped onto the end of a wire up to and including the shoulder but differ in the length or diameter of front tip.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said connectormember comprises:

a constricting shoulder within said bore serving as a stop for the terminal pin shoulder to fix its locked position within said bore.

4. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said connector member comprises:

a front closed end;

and a contact secured on said front closed end thereof adapting it for use as a stationary contact for a switch.

5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said spring and connector member comprises:

registering means for orienting the spring so that its split is diametrically opposite to said catch.

6. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said catch also comprises:

a complementary arcuate surface that is biased by said spring against the arcuate surface of the terminal pin shoulder to provide a high pressure electrical contact between said catch and the terminal pin.

7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein:

said bore has an arcuate surface complementary to the arcuate surface of said terminal pin shoulder;

and said spring acts through said catch to bias the arcuate surface on the other side of the terminal pin shoulder against the complementary arcuate surface of said bore.

8. An integrated wire termination system comprising:

an electrically conducting connector member having a bore extending thereinto from one end thereof adapted to receive a shouldered terminal pin, said bore having a shoulder therein forming a stop for the shoulder on the terminal pin;

an aperture in the side of said connector member;

a pawl in said aperture;

a split sleeve spring around said! connector member biasing said pawl through said aperture into said bore;

and said pawl having an inner surface configuration within said bore comprising;

a cam surface effective when acted upon by the terminal pin shoulder when the terminal pin is inserted in the bore for moving said pawl outwardly against the force of said spring;

and a catch that snaps behind the terminal pin shoulder by force of said spring when the terminal pin has been inserted against said stop to lock the terminal pin within said bore in good electrical contact with said connector member.

9. The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said inner configuration of said pawl also comprises:

a reentrant cam surface extending from the first mentioned cam surface to said pawl catch insuring that the terminal pin shoulder clears said pawl catch upon removal of the terminal pin with a retraction tool.

10. The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said integrated wire termination system also comprises:

cooperating sides on said pawl and said aperture that prevent said pawl from falling through said aperture into said bore. 

1. An integrated wire termination system comprising: an electrically conducting connector member having a bore extending thereinto from one end thereof adapted to receive an arcuate-surface-shouldered terminal pin that is secured to the end of a wire with the portion of the pin on one side of its shoulder being of reduced size to provide space therearound within said bore for insertion of a split sleeve release tool; an aperture in the side of said connector member; an arcuate catch in said aperture; a split sleeve spring surrounding said connector member to bias said catch into said aperture; a linear cam surface on said catch extending forwardly at an inward angle whereby said catch is moved outwardly against the force of said spring by the terminal pin shoulder when the terminal pin is inserted into said bore; said catch having a lateral shoulder that snaps behind the terminal pin shoulder by force of said spring when the terminal pin has been fully inserted to lock the terminal pin within said bore in good electrical contact with said connector member to prevent removal of the terminal pin by pulling on the wire, and release of the terminal pin requiring insertion of the release tool around the reduced portion thereof within said bore to bias said catch free of the terminal pin shoulder and withdrawal of the terminal pin and tool together; and said bore in said connector member being large enough to receive the split sleeve release tool around the reduced portion of the terminal pin to engage said cam surface and cam said catch outwardly clear of the terminal pin shoulder to release the terminal pin for withdrawal from said bore.
 2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein: said connector member and said bore therein are long enough to receive any one of a plurality of different ''''standard'''' terminal pins that are alike from the rear end that is crimped onto the end of a wire up to and including the shoulder but differ in the length or diameter of front tip.
 3. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said connector member comprises: a constricting shoulder within said bore serving as a stop for the terminal pin shoulder to fix its locked position within said bore.
 4. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said connector member comprises: a front closed end; and a contact secured on said front closed end thereof adapting it for use as a stationary contact for a switch.
 5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said spring and connector member comprises: registering means for orienting the spring so that its split is diametrically opposite to said catch.
 6. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said catch also comprises: a complementary arcuate surface that is biased by said spring against the arcuate surface of the terminal pin shoulder to provide a high pressure electrical contact between said catch and the terminal pin.
 7. The invention defined in claim 6 wherein: said bore has an arcuate surface complementary to the arcuate surface of said terminal pin shoulder; and said spring acts through said catch to bias the arcuate surface on the other side of the terminal pin shoulder against the complementary arcuate surface of said bore.
 8. An integrated wire termination system comprising: an electrically conducting connector member having a bore extending thereinto from one end thereof adapted to receive a shouldered terminal pin, said bore having a shoulder therein forming a stop for the shoulder on the terminal pin; an aperture in the side of said connector member; a pawl in said aperture; a split sleeve spring around said connector member biasing said pawl through said aperture into said bore; and said pawl having an inNer surface configuration within said bore comprising; a cam surface effective when acted upon by the terminal pin shoulder when the terminal pin is inserted in the bore for moving said pawl outwardly against the force of said spring; and a catch that snaps behind the terminal pin shoulder by force of said spring when the terminal pin has been inserted against said stop to lock the terminal pin within said bore in good electrical contact with said connector member.
 9. The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said inner configuration of said pawl also comprises: a reentrant cam surface extending from the first mentioned cam surface to said pawl catch insuring that the terminal pin shoulder clears said pawl catch upon removal of the terminal pin with a retraction tool.
 10. The invention defined in claim 8, wherein said integrated wire termination system also comprises: cooperating sides on said pawl and said aperture that prevent said pawl from falling through said aperture into said bore. 